Stapling machine



April 5,1938. `w. F. WEBER Er AL i .21'12941 STAPLING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. A20, 1930 www www.

- www@ Apri 5, 1938. w. F. v'vEBER ITAL STAPLING MACHINE Filed octfzo, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 @fa l Aprills, 1938.'

lw. F. WEBER ET AL STAPLING MACHINE 'Filedoou 20, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N NNN MQNM% N MR Patented Apr. 5, 1938 G. -Pankonim Chicago, Ill., assignors to Ace Fastener Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application october zo, 1930, serial No. 489,832

as claims.

The present invention relates to a stapling device and has particularly to do with an apparatus primarily' adapted to force a U-shaped staple through a plurality of sheets oi paper or 5 other material and to deform such staple, by the use of an anvil die so as to maintain the several sheets in a group. The device maybe used for different purposes, as for example, as a hammer tanker, or as a desk tacker, and it may be adapted -to operation by foot power.

O ne of the objects of the invention, and perhaps the primary object thereof `is to provide a mechanism which can not readily be clogged, and at the same time which rids itself of deformed staples when such' are loadedthereinto.

Further objects of the invention, aniongothers, include the provision of the following:

More than one opening -in the staple discharging head fordischarging s plesA or parts thereof Means in the staple scharging head for straightening slightly deformed/staples and cute" ting badly deformed staples into a plurality of parts; f.

A method of interlocking the staple discharging die plate comprising the staple channel and track in position by a casing member;

An improved mechanism which is adapted to lock the 4staple driving plunger against reversal of movement when an up or down stroke thereof is incomplete;

Means insuring a full stroke of the staple driv ing plunger in one direction followed by a full stroke in the opposite direction without possibility of reversalof the plunger until each stroke is fully complete;

A unique staple discharging head;

An improvedmeans for guiding a staple driving plunger;

Means adapted to force the return of a staple magazine beam a selected portion of the distance over which it may travel; f

A unique means for varying the proportion of a magazine beam lift;

A novel movablemagazine beam provided height adjusting elements;

A unique means for mounting a spring which -actuatesthefollower in a staple magazine;

Animproved means for anchoring a follower in a staple magazine to a spring by which it is' actuated; g An improved method of securinga spring for a follower in a staple magazine in the housing of a staple driving device and including unique f instrumentalities for facilitating the variation o`f with.

the' tension of such a. spring;

An improved combination of spring shaft and a housing for adjusting 'a spring therein;

vAn improved front housing member for a staple discharging head;

An improved magazine beam structure for av stapling device; Y

A unique follower in a staple magazine and improved means for attaching such follower to its actuating spring;

An improved spring basket forming a section ofgastapling device and adapted tobe held in position by other parts thereof;

An improved basket for housing a main and auxiliary spring used in a stapling dev ice;

An improved anvil die .adapted to: provide a plurality of means for treating a staple as an incident to it being discharged thereagainst from a stapling device;

Abase for a stapling device havingan improved means for securing thereto protective feet A uniquearrangement of a staple magazine beam, a base, and a connecting memberV therebetween Improved feet for a stapling or similar device and in which metal and rubber are formed into aunitary structure preliminary to attachment to the device;

Mechanism for shifting the position of a staple magazine beam in a stapling device whereby the staple discharged therefrom'is'broughtinto contact with different depressions in an anvil die as. selected;

A'rigid anvil die associated with a movable staple magazine beam to provide a plurality of I ditfferent types of fastenings by means of similar staples; A governor or an escapement means to prevent a staple follower from severelystriking'against staples in a stapling machine magazine;

An improved loop connection A for the end of a spring to attach itto a handle -member or the like;

A staple magazine follower which cannot be attached to a stapling device in an'incorrect assembly; i

Means formoving a staple magazine beam relatively to an anvil die; and Means for preventing the retraction of the staple magazine follower when the follower actuating spring is connected thereto. objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear,` are obtained by the unique' construction, improved arrangement, and novel combination of parts vcomprisingthe stapling de- [the device Vshown in Figure 2;

vice and modiiications thereof illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure lis a side elevation of -a hand stapling device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section; of the device illustrated in vFigure 1; Y Figure '3 'is a plan view, partly in section, of

tion taken on the line 'I-1 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical section of the staple driving head showing the track for staples andthe guide die block therefor, a slightly bent staple being shown;

Figure 9 is a view similarto Figure 8 illustrat-` ing the cutting-up of a. badly bent staple;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail in elevation of the means for preventing outward movement of the staple follower when'under the tension of the staple follower spring;

Figure 11 is a transverse vertical section on the line II-II of Figure 2;

Figure l; is a plan view of oneform of anvil die usable with the device, lead lines being drawn to staples defer/med therein;

Figure 13 is a detail, in elevation, of the braking mechanism adapted to be used in association with the staple follower spring;

Figure 14 is a radial section illustrating the assembly with the apparatus of the braking mechanism shown in Figure 13; l

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the staple driving head and magazine, with base removed, but with finger rests attached thereto; A

Figure -16 is a front elevationtaken on the line It-IGof Figure 15 and looking In. the directionof the arrows;

. Figure 17 is-a plan view, partly inv section, of

a device similar to that previously illustrated, but

employing means preventing the staple follower from running freely along the lstaple magasine:4

and r Figure 18 is a fragmentary s ide elevation. partly in section, of the device illustrated in Figure 17.

Like reference characters are used to designate similarpartsinthedrawingsandintbedescription of the invention hereinafter given.

Y Thebaaemember In the device illustrated, theremay be a base l member Il.V Generally said basemember Il is rectangular in horizontal section, and it may be ofaninverteddixhtype. Atth'efrontend thereof isa section I I oi greater height vthan the main.

., bodyofthebase. InsectionILthere-Iaaoem Iland II. 'lhereannnlt-apertures Il are adapted to receive rivetai'l which' dependthroughthere'arofanvildie. Apel?- ltst the muto: nia mv'u ne legareA `base Il.

arranged to receive machine screws I8, whichv s section to elevate a transverse section 20 thereof above legs 2I extending outwardly therefrom. Said legs 2I project into a pad A22 which is molded to form an integral cushioned front foot of rubber or other flexible compressible material. Said pad 22 is of a generally square transverse section and covers the open bottom of section II of the base I! with a furniture protecting foot projecting downwardly of section I I beyond the lower edge of base I0.

Said anvil die I3 has two or more staple receiving depressions, 23 and 24, generally arranged in pairs having complem'ental cooperative members. Each staple receiving depression is adapted to act upon the end of a single staple struck thereagainst in a downward stroke of the head of the device, to deform such'staple end. Generally. the depressions are arranged so that when such depressions rceive staples, the depressions deform such staples from a U-shape, into a clinching pinning, or other selected fastening configuration in respect to a plurality of papers or the like through which the staple while in a U-shape is forced by a downward stroke of the head of the device before deformation, of the staple. The anvil die I3 is secured firmly in rigid position and in proper alignment with the remainder of the apparatus by the plurality of fasteners described. The character and arrangement of such fastening members may be altered without departing from the principles of construction illustrated and described or the advantages obtained thereby.

At the rear endof base I0, .there is a pair of parallel slots V25 of equal length. The ends of said slots are in parallel alignment. Intermediate said slots 25 is an aperture 26 to receive an adjusting screw, later to be described.

Three additional apertures are in base I0 for holding fastening members for a bracket 29. Two

Said bracket 29 is U-shaped in transverse section. Its legs 3l extend upwardly through and closely flll said slots '25. The tops of said legs 3l being in alignment.

Ihebody of the U-shaped bracket comprises a apertures Il registering with apertures 21 in base Il. In the rectangular portion 32, there are aper- 'are arcuately rounded.V Through each of said vlegs ll is a shaft bearing 3l, the said bearingsl tures ll and I6, the former'registering with aper- Y ture 2l in base Il for the reception of a beam adjusting screw, and the latter registering with` aperture 2l in base Il. ll extends to and about each side of therib I4 nr Suitable fastening apex-hires 2`l'in base Il and apertures M at one end of bracket 2l, and aperture A2l in `base Il and aperture Il at the other end of said bracket 2l to secure th'latter Vfirmly upon -the base Il. Said fastening means, in conjunction with slots 2l, maintain bracket 20 in correct alignment withl base Il at all times.

'I'he bifurcated section members extend. through 55, rectangular section I2 defined by the legs Ill which are articulated upwardly therefrom. Its frontis a bifurcated spreading section I2 integral with section I2. 'Iiirough the bifurcated section 33 are Across the rear end of the base il are pads or feet 31, eachpad beingsimilar-to pad 22 at of lesser dimensionthan the front pad 22 because there are no blows struck against the of the device at the rear endvthereoi. Each-r cushion 31 includes a metallic insert 38, a i

shaped member. The legs39 extend into. e pad `31, .or the material of said pad is molded about said insert 38 to providea flat cushioned base. In each. of said legs 33, there may be apertures (not indicated by 'reference characters but plainly visible) to receive a portion of themolded material to provide a more secure VJoinder between Vinsert 38 and pad material 31. Said 'pads 31 are at each side o'f bracket 28 andl in alignment therewith. They are held in position by screws or other fastening means extending through said base i0 and'into threadedapertures in said me-A tallic parts 38 of the foot. The apertures 4811i said base for said screws are adjacent tothe rear end and to the outside of slots 25. Each foot 31 extends below the lower edge of base ill to prometallic base.

The beam The present device uses a staple magazine beam. Said beam comprises two U-shaped or channel members providing a magazine for a tect furniture or the like from damage from supply of staples. One of said members provides an internal and bottom track for such staples to slide along while the other provides an upper and outer track to guide the staples into the staple discharging head to which the said beam is secured. The inner track member 50, in transverse section-includes shoulders 5i suitably obtained. Inner member 58 externally is narrower` above the shoulders 5I than therebelow. For convenience the'narrower section of member 50 will be designated 52. On such narrower section 52, the smaller staples may ride. The lower and wider section of member 50 is designated 53 and such section is joined to the outer and top member of the magazine-track. Said member 581s adapted to extend from one end of the beam to the other end thereof. A portion of the top section 52 and the whole of section 53 is removed at 51, the removed material being taken from the under side of the member 50 at its front end.

Intermediate its length, member 58 may have a plurality of round apertures 54 extending transversely of section 53 thereof. Removed from the rear end of said member through said section 53 is an elongated aperture or shaft opening 55.

Secured to said inner and bottom member 55 is an outer and top member 58 which may comprise a unitary sheet of material articulated or shaped to provide achannel. This, member guides the outside of the staples and holds them in the magazine. Said member 58 has an. open top 55 beginning at its rear end and extending the major portion of its length. The end of saidolenins provides a stop for a staplefollower in said magazine and laterto be described. At the front and at each side of member' 58 are tongues, and at the rear end 55 thereof, the top and-a portion of the sides of said member are cutaway to provide for ready loading of the staple maga- DOStlatertobedescribed..

Staples when loaded into the beam are adapted to be moved therealong under the influence of' i lspring pressure, being propelled by the lforce oi' a follower also'later to be described. The staples when loaded into the beam magazine, rest upon the internal member 58 and vare guided by the internal wall of outer member 58, the top portion of which has an elongatedopeningfrom its rear 'end to allow the ingress and egress of a spring actuated follower, the end of the opening form- Cil ing a stop, as in cated just above. Such4 stop prevents thefollo er from reaching the path of the staple driving hammer or member when the last staple is discharged from the beam magazine.

'I'he guide member 58 has a-plurality of aperplurality of transverse bolts. Running through the two forwardly aligned apertures 54 and 52, are -bolts 55. Through the next rearward aligned apertures 54 and 52 is a shorter bolt 55a. About each bolt 55 and about bolt 55a is a spacer'i1 extending from internalwall to internal wall of l member 58. The apertures 54 and 52 at the rear end of the beam are filled with a channel spacer 51 through which cylindrical member there .ex-

tends a locater 58 or blind pin having ends which clear the internal walls of the legs 30 of bracket. 29." Each bolt 55 and bolt 55a may have two.

threaded-ends, and the two forward bolts 55 of the beam may pass through ahousing for the' staple discharging head which housing surrounds the beam. 'Ihrough the elongated apertures 55 and 53 insaid beam members 50 and 58 is a shaft 58 which also passes through the legs 30 of the U-shaped bracket 25 extending upwardly out of the base i8. About said shaft 59 is a sleeve 59a which extends from the inner face of one leg 30 to the inner face of the other leg 30,'which sleeve 59a is engaged by a link for shifting the. beam longitudinally of the base I0 within the limits of the longitudinal extents of the elongated lapertures 55 and 53 which are in close registry. y

In the present device, there is a single vanvil die I3, which anvil is provided with a plurality of means 23 and 24 for dierently deforming a staple forced thereagainst by the downward movement of a follower or plunger. A stationary anvil die will permit of Vmore accurate registry with a staple discharging element than a movable anvil die.A The reason for this is simple. When there are two 'moving parts which have to be adjusted relatively to one another, inaccuracy thereto, it is necessary only to keep the movable 4in correct alignment with thefflxed part"in order to establish accurate registry therebetween.

Instead of employing avmovable anvil die and adjusting such anvil die to a beam, which beam is movable in all conventional stapling instrumentalities, there is provided the stationary anvil die I3 rigidly secured to base I0, and meansv are attached tosaid beam whereby-it is adjustable relatively to said stationary anvil die to provide accurate registry between the staples dis- 7';

. pin 13 rides.

Rotation of the wing nut-15 causes rotation;

charged therefrom one at a time, with either of the deforming parts 23 and 24 as selected.

One form of beam shifting instrumentality is illustrated. Upon the side of outer magazine member 58 is a plate 18 having a vertical rib 1I which is normal tothe beam. Said plate 10 may be attached to the outer and upper magazine member 58 by rivets or in any other suitable manner. Extending through thematerial of the plate 10 in alignment with said rib 1I and projecting through the material of said inner member 50'and -said outer member 58 is a shaft 12 which is journalled for rotation in said beam. At the outer end of shaft 12 is a transverse pin 13. Intermediate the plate 10 and-said -pin 13 is a barrel 14 of.a wing nut 15. Said-shaft 13 'has an enlarged head 16 through which pin 13 is secured.

Within said barrel 14 which is internally enlarged to provide a spring housing 11 is a coil spring 18 which normally engages the bottom 19 of said spring housing 11. 'I'he outer convolution of said spring 18 rests against the enlarged head 15 of shaftl'l. 'I 'hus the coil spring urgeswing nut 15 against the plate 10, the contiguous face of said wing nut -15 having therein a diametrical groove 88 which registers with the transverse rib 1I ofthe side plate 10. Said wing nut 15, intermediate the wings thereof, has a pair of 4diamet rically opposed slots 8| f extending inwardly a limited distance from the outer edge of the barrel 14. It is in said slots 8l that the transverse of the shaft 12 to which is splined said wing nut 15 in the. manner indicated. Such rotation of the wing'nut 15 may xbe' had by twisting the wing nut 15 with sufficient force to cause it to cam outwardly over the Vrib 1I-, thus`compressing the spring 18. 'Ihe movement of the wing nut 15 as a result of such camming action is longitudinal ofthe shaft 12. The pin 13 engages the mate- 'rial adjacent the slots 8| in said wing nut 15 to prevent axial relative movement between the wing nut 15 and said shaft 12. Said wing nut 15 by the construction shown may occupy stable positions 180 apart, and is unsuited to maintain any other position. If it is desired to use an anvil die with more than two staple deforming arrangements, more stable positions for the beam are lprovided so that the beam may be made to occupy as many positions as needed.

Below the inner magazine member 58 is a link ,82. At each end of said link 82 are extensions at each' side thereof, each of -which extensions has an annular aperture therein.v The extensions at the front er -tne'unk are designated n and registry. 'Ihrough thesesaid beam-bearing shaftA 58 and sleeve 58a are adapted to operate. AThe main shaft 88 vfor the beam is theas of the movement for said beam because of theA attachment of said link 82 about said sleeve 83a, said sleeve 58a rotating freely on beam shaft 89.

At it! OPPO-Bite ends. Silid beam shiftinglnk I2 through openings 83a is connected to an eccentric 85 which is adapted to rotate in said openings. Said eccentric 85 is keyed to the shift shaft 12-operated .by the wing nut 15, the eccentric 85 beingr penetrated by said shaft 12 off center.

In the position shown in Figure `2 of the device, said eccentric83 maintains the beam in an extreme forward position, that is, with the beam moved forwardly in the base 'I0 of the machine. By rotation of the shift shaft- 12 one hundred and eighty degrees, the beam .is moved to its back position, or as far rearward .of the base I0 as it is possible to move it.

When in the rearmost position, the discharge orifice for the staple in the stapling head whichis secured to the beam registers with the rearmost staple operating section 24 of the anvil die I3. While the beam is in its foremost position, said staple discharging ,orifice is in accurate registry with the front staple engaging portion 23 of the anvil die I3.

If more than two different types ofstaple deformations' are required, as previously indicated, means may be supplied to provide more than two positions for the beam to occupy relatively to the stapling anvil die I3, said beam being adapted to register in predetermined position for engagement with the various staple operating portions of the anvil die one at a time.

The limit of movement between base I0 and theA beam is determined bythe engagement of the staple discharging head upon the anvil die I3, in one extremeposition, and by the contact of the rearmost end of the beam with the top of base Il) as the beam rocks about shaft 69 in the other extreme position. These-two lextreme positions may be had by manual operation of the beam.

A spring member is provided to lift the staple discharging head from anvil die I3. Such member has in association therewith means forregu- 1 lating the extent of the movement upwardlyof the front end ofthe beam under the influence of the spring if itis desired to limit such actuated return toa portion of the arcvdening the entire possible movement. of said beam.

Through the body of the base ,I0 in aperture 26 there is a height adjusting screw 81. Said screw also extends through bracket 28 by way of aperture 35, the aperture 35 being 'countersunla bored or larger than aperture 25 to receive the head of' such beam return adjusting screw 81. Said screw 81 extends inwardly of a nut 88 cylindrical in4 shape and internally threaded. Said nut has a square head to prevent turning and/is slotted vto allow for friction. 'I'he shank 88 of said nut 88 is surroundedby a spring which extends from the top of the base Il to a spring plate 3|. y Said 'spring plate 8l is rectangular in conguration Rotation or the height adjusting screw s1 wm regulate 'the limit of upward movement of the beam, such upward movement being under the urge of the spring il in respect to plate 8l Thus. the beam may be adjusted to return any selected ment relative to Il.4

fraction of the arc defining its maximumv move- I,

20 apertures |08 to receive a screw passing through The staple discharging h ead At the front end of the beam and 'assembled with it is a staple driving head into which staples from the beam are received and discharged, one at a time, against the anvil die |3. The head includes-primarily staple driving means and means 66 secure housing |00 to the beam. At the top' and rear of housing are aligned apertures |0'|a through which a dowel bolt or pin |01 extends.

In each of sides |02 and |03 are also opposed ears in a cover member |09 having a body extend- 'g from the top back edge of housing |00 to adjacent the beam. At its top cover |09 has a tongue ||0 extending over dowel pin or bolt |01 to be hooked thereon, there being two short extensions at the 'sides of the tongue to rest on the edge of sides |02 and |03. Adjacent its bottom end, cover |09 has ears ||2 whichextend over sides |02 and |03 and are secured thereto by screws penetrating the ears and projecting intd apertures |08.

In side |02 is a square aperture v| |3 to receive the square end of a staple feeder spring shaft,

and a round aperture` ||4 to provide' anchoragev for a pawl stud screw, while side |03, opposite aperture ||3`, has a round opening ||5 toA receive the other end of such staple feeder spring shaft. `Side |02 also has a tongue ||6 which is turned inwardly to provide a bearing surface for ya 'plunger which is spaced from side |02 at its top by said tongue H6. Said tongue also forms a stop for upward travel of the plunger as is point.- ed out later.

At each-side of cover |00 at its bottom are extensions between which the staple Afeeder spring'is adapted to be guided. Intermediate the end of the beam and the front |0| of housing |00 is a die plate |20." Said die plate has at its vertical edge ilanges |2| which providea trackior` staples intermediate theinside wall of front |0| and said die plate |20 and in which a staple driver rides to drive a staple against anvil die I3. The outer edges'of the iiange .may be beveled to provide a snug fit in the corners of housing `|00 which isarticulated to form the'sides |02 and |03 at ninety vdegrees from front 0|. The flanges |2| may be formed in any suitable manner. Inter- 4mediate said iianges,lthere is' an inverted U' shaped opening l22such` opening |22 extending 'from the internal /edge of -one ilange. |2| tothe internal edge of/the opposite ange.

Into the `opening |22, there extends a tongue. |23. Intermediate the tongue |23 and adjacent iianges |2 the material of die plate |20 is shaped to provide ail-shaped wall, the top edge being designated |24. One face of said V-shaped section designated |25, is inclined toward the front cf the device, and the other, |26,.which is longer,

is inclined The distance'betweenanges |2| below opening |22 is slightly less than the distance between said Y anges above lopening |22, and very slightly less `than the outside dimension of the usual wire staple to be forced between said ilanges. Such toward the rear of the apparatus. f

narrowness 'prevents a staple loosened from a strip from dropping downwardly in thev track therefor between flanges |22 until driven down- 'wardly' by an .urging force other thangravity.`

Atthe back of die plate |20 is a slot |2'| extend 5 ing thereacross and at its ends to receive the tongues 60 of guide member 58, whilethe inner magazine member 50 '-is arranged to rest on. the top of tongue |23 with its front edge flush with the front of said tongue |23. Thus, there is provided two apertures throughthe die plate at the sides thereof in the -legs' of the inverted U.- shaped` opening |22 through which ystaples or portions thereof may be dischargedwhen not discharged by way of the track between flanges |2|. 15

By the arrangement shown, a staple discharged from the inner staple magazine member 50 and into the groove between the anges |2| at' the front of die plate |20 is guided downwardly therethrough with the pointsprojecting-downwardly. 20 Shouldsaid `staple be slightly deformed, that is, the-legs thereof be not in'perfect alignment with the body and with one anothe the ends of the staplek will strike upon the sloping surface |25 .tweenthe plate-|20 and the front |0| o f the device, to be straightened and to be forced into an object resting upon the anvil die |3 or beneath thestaple discharging head. If, on the other hand, the deformation of the staple is gross, a leg or a` part Aof the staple will be forced across the top,of`the wall |24 by contact with rear face '|26 thereof. 'I'he further downward movementl of the staple under pressure will cause the staple to be pressed upon the lower edge of face |25, and with sufllcient force, it will be cut into sections. vWhenso cut, a part of the staple may fall down the channel in which the staple follower travels, or a part of said staple may be dis'- Vcharged through the openings back of the point 40 |24 through the legs of opening |22, falling to base I0 without interference because of the removal of section 5l of member 50. It will be noted that there is always a continuous passagewayfrom above the point |24 to the base I0 45 through which staples are manuallyA forced as a result of the action of the staple plunger, such passageway permitting ofthe escape of broken, mutilated or cut sections of staples.

' In said housing |00, a plunger |30 vfor driving 50 y staples downwardly and out of the staple discharging head is provided. In the present de- 'vice .there is a square hollow member having' .sides III and |33. vTongues |35, |35A and |37.l

project upwardlyirom sides m, m and lu respecnvely and two adjacent tongues las and las '6 0" project from the opposite sections of side |34.

Said plunger |30, at its top -is closed by a cap' |40 having recesses to receive said several tongues,

. 'the cap |40 being rounded to' receive the impact of the palm of the open hand or the' lower side 6 5 .\f a closed est without discomfort .to the opera,-

tor of the device; Any suitable means may -be employed-to secure cap |40 upon plungery |30. 'It may beriveted into position or brazed..

Plunger |30 at its front |32/has secured to by rivets or otherwise a tool steel staple driving punch |42 which may be called a staple hammer or driver, said punch extending well below the bottom of plunger |30 and at its free end between the flanges |2| of die plate' |20, the 75 of the wall |24 and be guided into'the space be-f 25 there-I"V 701 downward extent of the movement of said ldriver being tothe bottom edge of housing |00. Punch |42 slidinglyfengages the internal face of front |0|. 'Side |3| of plunger |30 rides closely against side |03 of housing |00. The top end of hammer |42 may extend upwardly into cap |40 to provide a concealment for the top of said punch and a firm buttress for said top end.

On side |33 of plunger |30, there is a rack |43 having teeth |44 intermediate offset top an'd bottom sections |44a and |45, respectively. At the front and bottom of rack |43 is another recess or cutaway section |45 to clear die plate |20. Said rack is secured to side |33 by rivets |41 or .by other suitable fastening members, said rack spacing plunger side |33 from side |03 of housing |00. The tongue ||5 on housing side |02 provides a stop for plunger by engaging the top of rack |43 to limit the upward movement of plunger |30. At this point, it is well to again note that the front |32 of plunger |30 and rack |43 at its bottom front edge |45 are cut away toclear the top of die plate |20.

From the outer magazine member 50, there ex- Y tends a plunger spring guide stud |48 having an extension secured to the former by extending said f extension through the aperture |49 in the top Sand front of guide member 55 heretofore men- I tioned without referencepharacter, and then riveting it into position. Said stud has a round or beveled exposed end |50 to facilitate the sliding f from the top thereof of any of the convolutions of a. coil spring surrounding said stud, if acci- .j `dentally disarranged to engagev the said stud at its top.

To urge the plunger |30 upwardly, a coil spring |5| is disposed about stud |45 with its bottom resting on outer magazine member 55. spring .extends upwardly into the square hollow barrel of plunger |30, resting at its top end against plunger cap |40. The plunger |30, when in uppermost position has its lowermost section just above the top4 |50 of stud` |40.

To provide a guide for the fourth side |34 of plunger |30, there is disposed in the housing |00 basket |52, comprising a sheet of material articulated to provide a front' wall |53 adapted to form the guide for the sidei |34 of plunger |30. Said front |53 is substantially co-extensive with the height of housing |00. `At each side of front |53 are sides |54 and |55. Sides |54 and |55. adjacent their top are relatively narrow in width, and through the saidsides at their top apertures |55 extend to receive dowel bolt |01. Apertures |55 register with apertures |01a in housing 100. The tongue ||0 'of cover |00 reaches inwardly of housing |00 to the rear of basket front |53 but in front of dowel bar or pin |0I. The sides |54 and |55 also have aligned apertures |51 therethrough-in registry with ap'erture ||5 in housing side |03 to receive a shaft for `a staple follower spring, which shaft and dowel bolt or pin |01 secure the basket |52 firmly in-the proper position in housing |00 Vto serve as a guide for plunger |30. -Sides |54 and |55 'are both articulated to provideinwardly turned sections |58 and |59, parallel adjacent sections |50 altr! |0|,'and outwardly turned flanges |52 and A part of side |54, inwardly turned-section |55 and section |50, is removed to provide space for a pawl shortly to be described. A section of flange |52 is cut away to provide a hook |54 for a spring associated with said pawl. Between Said' from the hook |10 onithe rear end of the sections |5| and |52, a

spring for the staple feeder is disposed.

Extending outwardly through aperture H4 is I the shankof a pawl fulcrum stud |55 on which and within. housing |00 a pawl |55 is adapted.5

to freely rock. Said pawl stud` |55 is secured in proper position by a, nutv |51, -there beingproa springhook |10. A coil spring |1| has one end looped over` said hook |10 vand its other end 15 looped over-hook 54 in basket |52 whereby to maintain the tooth |55 in substantially horizontal position. l

In rack |43 there are ten teeth as shown. l.More

or fewer teeth could be employed. In practice, 20

the first four teeth at the bottom of the rack illustrated as having recesses of the same depth asall other recesses may have'deeper recesses therebetween and are a greater distance' apart than the remaining teeth to facilitate a more ef- 25 fective action'of the pawl |55. 'I'he end faces are at a greater angle to prevent-wedging of the pawl and to insure proper throwing from one position to the other. l

V'I'he action of the rack |43.and of the pawl |55 30 is as follows. In the uppermost position of thel rack`l43, the tooth |55 of the pawl |55 is resting in the recessed section |45 of the rack |43. As is indicated in the drawings, thereisroom for a slight movement of the plunger |30 before the 35 rack |43 engages the tongue or tooth |55 ofthe pawl |00. Downward movement of the plunger V| 30 causes the first tooth of the rack |43 Vto push the pawl end |08 out of its way by a rotative movement of the pawl of probably thirty or forty 40 degrees about the stud |55. Further movement downwardly of the plunger |30 causes'the pawl to assume various'angular posit-ions with the tongue |00 engaging the toothed edge of the rack because the tension of the spring |1| extending paw to a hook |54 upon the basket |52.

'If thev actuating force is removed from the plunger |30 before the teeth of the rack |43 shall have completedtheir travelpast. the paw] |05. upward movement of the plunger |30. is arrested because the tonguel |50 of the pawl 55 engages in the teeth of the rack |43. therebeing insufficient area for pawl |00 to fully rotate when the teeth in the mk u: are opposite un@ pawl m. Onoe the plunger |30 has moved the:rack' sum clently far for the lowermostI tooth on" the rack |43 to engagethe tongue |50 of tthe paw! |55,

-there canbe no upward movementof the plunger 00 m unmtne entire rack m shan have passed the tongue of the pawlvlll. when the urging force applied to the cap |40 upon-the plunger |30 shall have forced the plunger |30 inwardly a distance causing the top tooth ofthe rackl |43 65 to pass the tongue |00 of the pawl |50, the pawl |00 then assumes a horizontal position under the u rge of th coil spring |1| intermediate said pawl and said hook upon said basket.

` Further slight movement of the plunger |30 70 may be had to clinch or deform a staple onanvil The lowermost position of the plunger is determined by the engagement upon the guide 58 V'of the plungerV |30. A slight amount of play at 'the end of the down stroke is available in the 75 hasa 10 Said spring |8I, after being wound around said apparatus as illustrated while tongue |88 of pawl |88 rests in top recess |44a of rackl.

Upward movement of the plunger |80 is controlled by rack |48 andpawl |68 in exactly the same way except the pawl and yrack move in the opposite direction, the stroke beginning with the tongue |68 in recess |44a and ending with 'the tongue |88 in recess |45.

In the basket |52 and housing |80, there is journalled a shaft |80 for a clock spring |8| to urge astaple feed along the magazine member while guided by outer magazine member 58. Said clock spring I8I is anchored in said shaft |80 in any customary manner, as for example, by threading one end ofthe spring through a hole or slot in said shaft and securing such end of the spring to and about said shaft to prevent accidental separation of the spring and shaft.

spring shaft a plurality of times, extendsrear- Wardly out of the staple discharging head between the extensions II1 on the cover member therefor,

the outermost end of the spring I8I being adapted to be secured to a staple feed finger' and thumb member.

' Shaft |80 comprises a square head |82, a roundV A is rotatable'in aperture ||5 in side-|88 of housing' |00 and inapertures |51 in basket |52. The neck or step of saidshaft |80 is substantially twice the thickness of the wall of housing ,|88 so that when the spring shaft |80 is in a seated position with the head |82 in aperture |I8, said neck will extend through the housing member the' thick- -ness of a washer. When the device is assembled, usually Athere is a washer intermediate the wall- |88 of said housing |00 and the head of said j machine screw |85. Said washer is used to prei 'vent longltudinalidisplacement of the shaft I 88.

The head |82 of the shaft I 80 which is square.

as shown, is o'f relatively little depth, i. e.."sub-` stantiadly the same depth as the -washer |85 heretofore mentioned or of the side |82 of housing |00. Totighten the tension of the main spring |8|, the machine screw |85 is removed and thereafter the washer |88 is takenv from about the neck or stepof the shaft I 80. The screw |85 is then replaced and threaded -into position, and

pressure is brought to b ear laterally of the housing to force the square head |82 of the shaft |80 out of the aperture I I3 by the side |82V'of sadl |85 is removed, the washer |88 replaced, andthe screw' |85 replaced in'its normal position. 'I'he square Yhead |82v at one side, andthe'sh'oulder between the shank and theneck or step at the other .side in connection withv the washer |88 and the-machine screw |88 prev'ent lateral and axial displacement of shaft |80 whenthe shaft is tissembled in adjusted position.

At the oltermost end of said spring I8I, there is a narrowed .portion |81, terminating inE an enlargedend |88, said narrowed portion |81 being looped over the shank |89 of a. lfinger and thumb member |90. Part |88 is riveted tothe main has adjacent thereto at each side thereof en Projecting from' larged sections or barrels |9I.

thebarrels |9| are. cupv like members |92. 'Ihe cups |92 are adapted to receive the tip of the thumb anda finger to make the manipulation .of

the spring I8I an easy matter.

To force staples longitudinally of the staple magazine comprising members 50 and 58,.there is provided a staple follower |93. Said channel member has inits top surface adjacent to itsA rear enda slightly elevatedsection |94. O'n such Aelevated or platformed section |94, therel isa hook |95, which comprises an articulated piece of metalhaving a shouldered extension |96.- The main body of said member |95 is adapted to rest over the platform |94 onsaid follower' |93 while the shouldered extension |96'thereof is adaptedto extend over the top surface of said channel Vmemioerbeyond the platformed section |94 thereofto-contactwith the endof the` slot in outer magazine member 58 to arrest inward progress of the follower when the last staple isdsclia'rgcd -from'the head.

At each Vside of said hook member |95,l there are complemental opposed and laligned upturned wings'. Said wings are divided into -two upsta'nding sections, |91 and |98, thus forming lav slot l |99 therebetween. Section |91 yhas an undercut in its rear surface in which the sections 9I` of nger and thumb member |98 engage. j The rear section |98 is lower than section |81 and has a.

contour which provides no possibility of holding handle |90. The front contour of section |91 vis such thatthe handle member cannot be engaged thcrealong".

This arrangement permits of the follower |93 being 'placed in position intermediate the staple e members 58 and '58 withthe linger and thumbV member I 90 at the rear of` section |91 only. The under cut portion of section |91' r elves the 'intermediate section |9I of the finger a `d thumb piece |90, the loop and a portion of the. spring excnding'between the wings forming sections |91 "and |9 8.A' I

- If for'any, reason, anioperator should attempt to-put the follower m into the device with .the

' follower reversed, the nger and thumb piece .I9i

under the urge of the spring |8| to which it is attached, will refuse to remain in engagement therewith because no part of the wingswill then provide a hooking'section for the finger piece.

Beneath the follower\| 98 in the elevated section |96 thereof is an 'elongated washer 200.A Rivets are used -to'secure thefhook member |95 upon the follower |93, such rivets extending through the hoek. member |95, the channel member |93 and substituted for the rivets. When the spring |8| released from the staple feeder, the'nger and -thumb'pie'ce- |90 rests against the cover |09 of housing' Inn. v,

the washer 200. lOther fastening means may be It may be desirable to provide means in a stapling device whereby the staplefeeder, under any condition, will not be allowed to strike against the strip of staples in the staple magazinev (parts i] and 58) while under the full urge of the feeder spring. The average operator of a stapling device is not careful of the manipulation thereof and will release the staple feeder from the hand to permit the follower to speed into the staple magazine under the full urge ,of the extended staple follower spring. The result is that the staples in many devices are jammed or deformed or the strips thereof caused to buckle. In the present device, such buckling or deformation is quite im- 'material because the device is provided with means for reshaping staples which are slightly bent and for breaking up and discharging badly deformed staples. It may be desirable, however,

' to provide a mechanismof such character in order to avoid damage to the staples. Three means for preventing a staple follower from striking staples in a magazine a severe blow are illustrated.`

One of these means comprises an escapement. A staple magazine comprising inner member 250 and an outer member 250 with teeth 20| at each cdgeof the slot therein is provided. The teeth 20| are opposed and in staggered arrangement. Adjacent to a hook 295 upon a follower 293, there is provided a pawl 202 which is pivoted at one end 203, and which at its other and free end has opposed teeth 204. In association with said pawl -202is a lug 205` which provides a holder for a spring 206. An opening 201 in lug 205 is arranged to receive said s'pring 206 and is parallel to the direction of the movement of^the follower,

293. In said lug 205, the spring 206.may'be fric- `tilcn'ally secured, and it may be of the flat clock type. The free end of said spring 206 is weighted as indicated at 200v so that the weight and spring retard the rapid operation of pawl 202 as it is projected from one side to the other while the follower moves inwardly of the staple magazine. In installing such retarding device, it is necessary to slightly elevate .the handle engaging ngers 291 of the `hook above the level provided therefor in a device not having such speed retardin;r

mechanism. y

When the follower 2 03 is placed in position' in the staple magazine comprising members 250 and 258, the teeth 20| on said outery and upper member 250 first on fone side and then upon the other side are engaged bythe adjacent tooth 204 upon the paw! 202, the teeth 20| projecting inwardly sufficiently Vto be in the path of a section of the adjacent tooth 204. .Fbr the'staple follower 203' to pass anyone tooth 20| underthe urge of the spring |0|`, it is necessaryfor said follower 203,

through the pawl 202, to engage a 20|.'

Such tooth 20| forces the pawl` 202 to the opposite side of the 'e beam, theweight-208' `on spring 200 acting as' a pendulum providing resistance to the rapid reverse movement o f pawl 202, thus slowing the speed ofthe follower 293.

The pawl 202then strikes the next opposed tooth 2M and again is forced to the opposite side against the resistance ofthe pendulum comprising vspring 20S and weight 200. The constant arcuate swjnging movement ofthe pawl 202 from side to side, such movement being against the. opposing urge of the spring 2 00 and weight 200, makes it imi possible for the follower 2100 to travel rapidly along the staple magazine with the result that when the follower 200 engages the outermost staple in the, said follower 232 strikes prising rack 459.

' such staple a relatively light blow, wholly insumcent to damage any of the staples in the'magazine.

Instead of employing" a staple magazine having a speed reducing element for the staple follower, the staple feed spring mayv be supplied with a governor or brake member, which llimits the speedat which the spring may coil. Such governor or brake maybe inactive during the uncoilshaft 380 determines Athe pull ofband 2|3 be-l cause drum 2I2' is directly connected to said tape 2| 3. At the side of the drum 2|2 are two weights 2| 4, pivoted at 2I5. Each Weight is arcuate in configuration and has a short shoe 2|6 to engage the periphery of a band 2 I 'I heldI rigid in lthe staple discharging head. The weights 2|4 vare upon a frame 2|0 or are otherwise adapted to rotate 'with the drum 2|2 and to move relatively to band 2|1. Springs-2H normally maintain weights 2|4 out of engagement with band 2 I1, but if the drum 2|2 rotates more rapidly than a predetermined speed, the weights 2|4' outwardly on their pivots 2|5 and engage the internal periphery of band 2 l1 to arrest such exces- Vsive speedand to brake the spring drum 2|2 againsttoo rapid rotation. As selected, one braking device may be employed to arrest inward movement of tape 2|3,`

' or two braking devices may be used at opposite -sides of spring 00| to arrest movement in one direction only, or two braking deivices may be vdisposed at opposite sides of the spring 20|, one Y to arrest movement in one direction and the oilier to retardmovement in the other direction.

Many persons have a tendency to play with desk appliancesl and the like. VA favorite toy isl a 4stapling device and a happy pastime is to reciprocate the staple follower in a stapling magazine, drawing thefollower and its spring back manually and then releasing the two to allow the follower to snap against the staplesin the loaded magazine. l

methods for reducing the force `of the blow` of the follower upon staples have'been herein- `abovedescribed. An effective means for preventing such 'playfulness and its ulterior effect' is now to be described. Y The staple magazine upon which `such device is illustrated comprises a lower member 450 and a top and outer member-450. The main or staple magazine followerspring, fingen and' thumb piece, and associated parts may be the same as for anyvof the other devis illustrated. Upon the top surface of outer member 450 and at one side thereof is a rack 450. f o

In connection with a staple magazine follower 400 is an upright hook member405 of sub.-

stantially the same'cong'ur'ation as-hcok member |05. Pivoted at 405 and at the side of said hook member 405 is a pa'wl 401, the hooked end of which is adapted to From said pawl 401A anarm 400 projects in engage in the teeth com- '459 are`arranged so as not to retard forward movement of the staple follower 493 under the urge of the main spring. Retractile movement of the staple follower 493 is prevented, however, because the camming force of the finger and thumb piece under the urge of the main spring causes the pawl 491 to hook itself upon the next rearwardly disposed ,tooth in rack 459 in the path of pawl 491. Hence, follower 493 can not be moved rearwardly in the staple magazine with the nger and thumb piece in position in hook member 495.

When thenger and thumb piece is released fromthe hook member of follower 493, the pawl 491 may be readily lifted out of engagement with rack 459 and to insure such disconnection between pawl 491 and rack 459 as an incident to the release of the finger and thumb piece from.

the follower 493, Aa second and light spring 500 is. secured at one end to the side of hook member 495 by a ,stud 50|; the other end of said spring 500 being secured to paw! 491 to urge the hook end of said pawl 491 upwardly and away from rack459 coincidentally with the release of the finger and thumb piece fromthe fol-- lower 493. 'I'he urge of spring. 500 necessarily isless than the urge of the main spring through follower 493 and the main spring can the nger and thumb piece upon camming spring 488.

Under such an arrangement, the follower 493 can not be reciprocated with the nger and thumb piece in its connected position, and the not be readily pulled rearwardlyfconjointly.

It is sometimes desirable to use a stapling device of the character here described in conjunction with a drawing board to pin sheets of drawing thereon. ,'I'hus, using the present 'device as a tacker, it is usual to remove the base I0 there-- from which operation may be readily accomplished in the present apparatus by taking out the beam shaft69.. When separated from' the base- |0', the staple discharging head drives the staples directly through a drawing sheet into a drawing board without deforming thestaples.

To facilitate the accurate positioning of the apparatus for a tacking operation, members may be supplied. -These comprise opposed members 230, having a body section 23| adapted to be secured to the side of the housing |00 by the removal of the nuts from the two front dowel pins or bolts 66. 'Ihere are apertures 232-in said members 230 to t over V-said dowel bolts. After the side members are fitted over the said bolts 66, the nuts are replaced, whereby the hand members230 are firmly hfid in position. Each of the hand members has/ a wing flaring section facilitating the gripping of the housing |00 in one hand with the palm of the hand resting upon the plunger cap |40, the ingers Aof vthe operators hand being disposed be- 'neath the wings ofthe side members 230.110 facilitate a strong leverage of the hand-upon the plunger |30 when a tacking operation is desired.

vbeen applied thereto and `and forming one of the gripping return movement duringthe staple discharging stroke and the step by step advance of the plunger under the iniiuence of the rack and pawl has a pronounced advantage in the use of the device as a tacker. A staple maybe ejected to a The positive locking ofthe plunger |30 against v selected point and frictionally held in the staple g discharging head by' moving the plunger the required discharging distance and then removing the urging force. The staple will remain stationary and cannot be forced back into the staple discharging head because the plunger cannot b e moved upwardly against the resistance of the Ypawl the end o f which is locked in the rack.

In the present device, vif the force of the hand is Vinsufficient to cause the ejection of a defective staple, it is customary to invert the device, holding the devicey at its rear end and hammering the plunger cap |40 on ,the floor until thedfective staple is driven'out or is cut into parts and then discharged.

The staples 2|.0 for use` in the present apparatus could be individually fed into the device, but

this is not a convenient way of loadingthe apparatus. Staples of U shapecomprising nel wire are generally `marketed in strips, 2| comprising a plurality of staples 2 |0 in parallel alignment, adjacent staples being held together by a thin coating of adhesive which has. previously allowed to dry. Staple strips 2| are a common commodity in the market at the present time.

We claim:

, 1. Ina stapllng device for wire staples and having members forming a staple discharging passage, a beam comprising parallel channeled members, the staples riding upon one of Said members and the other of said members extending over such staples to maintain them 'against displacement frdm the first mentioned member, and a U-shapedhousing for surrounding the front end of saidchanneled members walls`of said staple discharging Dassage. j

2. In` a'stapling machine for preformed wire staples having an ejection chute and staple driver reciprocal therein, said ejection chute compris' ing opposed walls having ilat inner surfaces spaced to slidably Aengage the bridge and legs of a staple when driven therethrough, an opening through one of said walls, certain of the edges of 'said opening providing flat surfaces normal tol said.chute for slidably engaging the inside of the bridge and legs of a staple while passing.

through said opening, other edges o f said opening being positioned below and spaced from the ends of the legs of a staple resting upon said rst the inner surface of said wall cutting edges, said other edges being adapted to guide the legs of deformed staples 4'laterally from said chute outV through said opening to .the outer side lof said wall, said driver cooperating -with said cutting y through one of said walls, certainjlof the edges of .said opening providing flat surfaces normal to said chute for slidably engaging the inside `oi mentioned edges, said other edges forming with) the bridge and legs of a staple while paing through said opening, other edges of said openstaple follower in said magazine, a spring for vactuating said follower, and means upon said follower for retarding the movement of said, follower to a speed less than the speed at which it would travel under the unrestrained urge of said spring.

5. A stapling device comprising a staple driving punch, and a magazine adapted to receive staples for discharge by said punch, in combination with a follower in said magazine for advancing said staples, means for actuating said 25 follower, and means upon said follower and engaging said magazine for regulating the speed of travel of said follower along said magazine.

6. A stapling device having a staple discharging punch, and a magazine to receive staples for 30 discharge by said punch, in combination with a staple follower in said magazine, a springfor actuating said staple follower, and means in association upon said magazine and follower for governing the speed of movement of said follower 35 under the urge of said spring.

7. In a stapling device, a staple driving head, a magazinefor staples, a follower for staples in said magazine, a springfor actuating said follower,. a drum about said spring, and means asm sociated withsaid drum serving as a brake during the rotation of the drum.

8. In a stapling device, a staple head, and an anvil die having a series of depressions of a different nature operating upon staples 45 driven thereagainst by said staple discharging head, said staple discharging head being movable relatively to said/anvil die to register with the selected member of said series of staple operating depressions. y Y Y o 9. In a stapling device, an anvil die having a plurality of independent staple sections, each deforming a staple in a different manner, a staple discharging head, a beam for supporting said head, and means for moving said beam rela- 5 tively to said anvil die to cause said head to register with a selected staple engaging section.

10. A stapling device comprising a base, an anvil die in xed position on said base and having a plurality of independent depressions 5o/adapted to act upon the legs of staples, each f depression deforming a staple in a different manner, a staple discharging head'in association with" said anvil die, and means upon said base for moving said staple discharging head to procure 65- registration of said head with a selected d epression in-'said anvil die.

11..In a stapling device, a staple head, a magazine, a bifurcated follower in said magazine, a spring for said follower-and having 70 an end in the form of a loop, and a cross'bar in said loop, the ends of which are adapted to engage the furcations of said follower whereby to facilitate connection of said-spring andsaid follower. 75 12. A stapling device comprising a U-shaped housing, a plunger reciprocating in the closed end thereof, a magazine beneath said plunger, a'

said basket, and a shaft for said spring having' bearings in said housing and basket.

13. A stapling device comprising a U-shaped housing, a plunger reciprocating in the closed end thereof, a magazine beneath said plunger, a spring basket in the open side of said housing to secure said plunger therein, a magazine spring in said basket, and a shaft for said spring having bearingsin said basket and adapted to be secured against I and released for rotation by selective movement of said shaft transversely of said housing.

14. A stapling device comprising a base, a staple driving head, a beam pivoted to' said base and supporting said head, said base engaging said beam to admit of. said head being movable apredetermined distance above said base, means for maintaining said head when not in operation in a selected position less than such predetermined distance above said base, and means for varying the distance above said base at which said head is maintained.

15. In a stapling machine, a head comprising a housing, a plunger reciprocablev therein and having a rack, a pawl in said housing, a spring therefor, and a member disposed within said housing and providing a bearing surface for said plunger and an anchor for said spring.

16. A stapling device having ahousing, a

plunger reciprocable therein, a magazine, a coil springfor said plunger and a post secured to said magazine projecting into and forming a guide for said spring. y

17. A stapling device comprising a magazine and ejection chute, a guide plate for staples forming a part of said chute, a tonguein said plate to engage said magazine, and a punch reciprocating adjacent said plate, there being a cutting edge in the material intermediate said guide plate and said tongue.

18. A stapling device comprising a housing, a guide plate therein having a tongue, and a magazine, said magazine having nested channel members, one of which members rests n said tongue and the other interlocking with said plate, there being a continuously open passage in said guide plate and through the material of said channel members adjacent said guide plate.

19. In a stapling device, a head, a magazine feeding staples into said head, a driving blade discharging staples from said magazine one at a time, and a member in said head forming therewith an ejection track, there being on said memslightly deformed staples when being moved by said driving blade and an outwardly sloping surface connected with said first mentioned surface and providing a discharge chute laterally of said member for parts of badly deformed staples sub- 4sequent to their engagement with and separation into vparts by said cutting edge.

20. In a stapling machine, a magazine upon which staples travel in ne direction, a plunger for discharging the staples from said magazine one at a-time, means forming a path for the v staples after leaving said magazine, said means having a plurality of openings, there being interber a cutting edge in a plane beneath the lower mediate said openings a shouldered member having a downwardly and inwardly sloping surface forming a cutting edge below the undermost point of staples in their travel in said magazine, and a second surface extending outwardly of said member and means, said sloping surface cooperat` ing with said path forming member to straighten and render usable slightly deformed staples, said second surface providing a discharge chute for badly deformed staples cut into parts by contact with said cutting edge while being moved by said plunger. l

21. In a staple driving machine, a housing having a raceway, a plunger movable in the raceway to drive a staple therein, a guide bar for guiding i staples to the raceway, a cutter at each side of the r bar and each having a cutting edge at the rear of the raceway to cooperate with theplunger to cut staples extending backward from the raceway, said cutting edges being located below the free ends of the prongs of the staples on the guide bar, and downwardly extending passages at the rear of the cutters for carrying the cut off prongs of the staples from the housing.

22. In a staple driving machine, a housing hav.- ing a raceway, a plunger movable -in the raceway 'to drive a staple therein, a guide bar for guiding staples to the raceway, an inverted V-shaped lug on the opposite sides of the bar providing knife edges at the rear side of said raceway, said edges acting to aline the prongs of a staple with said raceway, said edges acting to guide unduly bent prongs of a staple out of said raceway, and portions of said lug cooperating with said plunger to cut oif the prongs of a staple after they are guided out of said raceway by said edges.

23. In a stapling machine, a magazine including a core of inverted U-shaped cross section upon .which staples ride in straddle fashion, an ejection chute for said staples having a front guide, a die plate havingspaced vertical forwardly projecting flanges interposed between said guide and said magazine, the forward face of said plate between said flangesbeing in substantially flush vertical alinement with the'end of said core, said die plate having a tongue-like portion fitting within the confines of said core, the forward face of said portion being flush with the endof said core to' provide a guiding surface for the bridge of staples as they are ejected through said chute, said plate being formed to permit of the passage of staples from said magazine to said ejection chute, and a staple driver reciprocable in said ejection chute and guided by said guide, said portions and said anges.

24. In a stapling machine, a magazine for preformed staples including a core upon which staples ride in straddle fashion, an ejection chute -f for said magazine including a front guide,a die plate interposed between said magazine and said guide, said plate having a passage-way `therethrough permitting staples to pass from said magazine to said ejection chute, said plate having a portion lying within the outer confines of said core and providing a guiding surfacefor the .bridge of staples as they pass through-said chute,

and a portioni positioned above said passage-way, said portions being spaced from said guide and a staple driver reciprocable in said ejec'tion chute and guided by said guide and said lportions during its reciprocable action.

25.,In astapling machine, a magazine including a core of'inverted U-shaped cross section' upon which staples ride in straddle fashion, an ejection chute for said magazine having a front' guide, a

substantially vertical alinementwith the forward end of said core, one ofl said portions fitting within said core and providing a guiding surface for the bridge of staples as they pass through vsaid chute, another portion .lying above and spacedY ,Y

from said core, and a staple driver reciprocable in-said ejection chute and guided by said guide and said portions.

26. In a. stapling machinea magazine including a. core of inverted U-shaped cross section upon v which staples ride in straddle fashionl and side plates for maintaining said staples thereon, an ejection chute for said staples having a front guide, a 'dieplate interposed between said guide and said magazine and restingagainst thev forward end of said side plates, the forward face of said die plate being in substantially flush vertical alinement with the end of said core, said die plate having a tongue-like portion fitted within the confines of said core and providing a guiding surface for the bridge of staples as they are 'ejected through said chute, said die plate being formed-to permit the passage of staples from saidmagazine to said ejection chute and a staple -driver -reciprocable in said ejection chute'and guided by said guide and said plate.

l2'?. In a s'tapling machine, a magazine for driver reciprocable in said chute, said magazine including a member'upon which' staples ride in straddle fashion, said mein-ber at its forward end being provided with an inverted U-shaped channel, means opposite one end of said magazine and forming the forward guide of. said ejection-chute, and a die plate having its forward face flush with the endof said member and spaced from said wall to forni the rear guide of said ejection chute, said plate having a tongue fitting within said U-shaped channel, said driver being guided by said means and saidv tongue.

28. In a stapling'rmachine, a magazine including a core upon which staples ride in straddle fashion and plate-like 'means for retaining staples thereon positioned above the forward end of' said core, an ejection chuteA for said staples positioned at the front of said magazine, a die plate'forming one of the w'allsuof said chute, saidy ,said means, requiring 'for operation a limited upward .movement of said plunger above said opening, said die plate having a bridge -portion above said opening, forming a rear guide for said plunger during said limited upwardA movement, and spring means resting on said platelike means at the rear of said bridge portion for normally maintaining said plunger in raised position.

29. In a staplingpdevice, an arm having a staple discharging "head and a magazine for staples, a spring within said head, a follower slidable within said magazine, said spring being devtachably secured to said follower, means carried by -said follower to prevent withdrawal thereof from said magazine unless said spring has been detached therefrom.,

12. 30. In a stapling machine, a magazine for staples, a follower movable in one direction to advance staples in said magazine, means on said4 follower preventing its movement-in the other direction, ai spring for moving said follower to advance staples, .and means detachably securing said spring to said follower, said last mentioned means acting to render said rst mentioned means inoperative when said spring is disconnected from said follower.

31. A stapling device comprising a magazine, a housing mounted on said magazine and having front and side walls forming a rearwardly facing opening therein, a plunger reciprocably guided within said walls, a spring basket in said opening forming a rear guide for said plunger, said basket being secured to said walls at one point, a magazine spring in said basket and a shaft for said spring, said shaft coacting with said walls to form anotherpoint of connection between said basket and said side walls.

32. A stapling device comprising a magazine, a

` housing mounted on said magazine and having a front wall and side walls forming a rearwardly facing opening therein, a plunger reciprocably guided within said walls, a member inserted in said opening and between said walls, said member having a first .portion extending over the rear face of said plunger to form a rear guide therefor, rearward of said rst portion said member being provided with second portions spaced inwardly from said sidewalls, a magazine spring mounted between said second portions, and projections on said member contacting said side walls to maintain said second'portions in proper spaced relation.

33. In a device of. the type specified, the combination of a movable member,`stapling mechanism carried by said member, clinching means located opposite said stapling mechanism, and

eccentric means for effecting adjustment of the movable member to aline the stapling mechanism with the clinching means'.

34. In a device of the character described, a base member, staple clinching means carried by said base member, an arm pivotally mounted on the base member land longitudinally shiftable relative thereto, a staple driver carried by said arm and cooperable with said clinching means,

and eccentric means for relatively shifting said arm and base member.

35. In a device of the type specified, a base member, a staple clinching anvil thereon, a movable member, 'staple mechanism carried by said 5 movable member and cooperable with said anvil, a pin providing a pivotal support between said members, and eccentric means for shifting the axis of said pivotal support relatively to one of said members.

. 10 36. In a stapling machine, the combination of.,

tween said walls having an open space, a plate 25 member on said housing and over the open space of said housing, interlocking means between the edges of said walls and said plate member to maintain' said walls in spacedapart relation.

38. In a stapling device, a base having an anvil, 30 staple driving mechanism supported for movement as a unit toward and from said anvil, said mechanism including a reciprocal plunger and spring controlled pawl and tooth means for insuring `a full stroke of said plunger, a housing for 35 said mechanism including a member having a forward w'all and rearwardly projecting spaced side walls, the inner surfaces of said walls providing a guide for the front and sides of said plunger and a second member positioned between 40 said side walls and spaced from said forward 'wall to provide a rear guide for said plunger, said second member being formed to permit operating contact between said pawl and tooth means, and

spring, means within said housing for normally urging said plunger to raised position.

' WILLIAM F. WEBER.

GEORGE C. BOA. WILLIAM G. PANKONIN.

reduced 15' 

